U.S. Sues Vermont, Other States Over Climate Laws

Donald Trump had her minion, AG Pam Bondi sue 
four states, including Vermont, to try and strike
down their climate laws. 

 As widely expected, the U.S. Justice Department, if you can call it that now, has sued Vermont over its climate "superfund" law.  

Vermont was one of four states targeted in this lawsuit. New York's climate "superfund" law, which is similar to Vermont's is also under the gun. 

The DOJ also filed lawsuits against Hawaii and Michigan over their plans for legal action against fossil fuel companies for harms created by climate change, as the Associated Press reported. 

These DOJ actions were widely expected

Back in April. Donald Trump issued an executive order targeting, among other things, Vermont's climate superfund law, saying the law "extorts" energy producers. The order directed U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi to investigate going after Vermont and other states with similar laws.

Bondi has clearly followed orders. 

"These burdensome and ideologically motivated laws and lawsuits threaten American energy independence and our country's economic and national security," Bondi bleated in a written statement. Bondi said she's trying to stop "these illegitimate impediments to the product of affordable, reliable energy that Americans deserve."

Vermont officials haven't officially reacted much to the DOJ lawsuit, at least not yet. The AP reports  Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark is looking forward to representing Vermont in this case. Gove Phil Scott had not immediately responded to a request for comment at the time of the AP inquired. 

Other Vermonters were more combative. 

"The fact that it has gotten the attention of the White House in my mind tells me we're doing something right right now, because just from what were seeing from the Trump administration, it tells me this is an important law that other states should follow suit on," Vermont State Sen. Anne Watson D/P -Washington County told WCAX.

As has so often happened with Trump executive orders, and his efforts to dictatorially bend people to his will, Bondi's announcement will just add to the huge and growing pile of expensive lawsuits Trump has inspired against him.

The fossil fuel industry was already in litigation against Vermont's law, so this just duplicates efforts. Sure, having the added weight of Trump (literally and figuratively) behind them might help the fossil fuel industry. 

But I do want to hope against hope that this plays out fairly in the courts. 

If, under the Constitution or existing federal law that Vermont's climate superfund is genuinely illegal, then fine, we'll know.

Vermonters tend to be fine with the rule of law, but they're not OK with bullies. Vermont on its own of course can't defeat Trump's efforts.  But he's pretty unwise to mess with this Brave Little State.